This is no linear campaign. In Knights of the Crusades, you start at the dawn of the First Crusade as a humble knight with a small band of warriors. From there, it’s up to you to turn that ragtag group into a fearsome force—whether that’s founding a legendary Holy Order, rising through the ranks of the Templars, or forging your own path in one of 52 playable factions, from the Emirate of Tripoli to fledgling Christian and Muslim realms across the Middle East and Europe.

Build Your Order. Command Armies. Shape History.

This isn’t just another strategy game—it’s a layered hybrid blending:

• Real-Time Tactical Combat – Lead your forces in gritty medieval battles, where positioning and leadership are key.

• Grand Strategy & Logistics – Manage food, supplies, and siege resources before marching on Jerusalem or fortifying your homeland.

• Political Intrigue – Navigate a world of shifting alliances, betrayal, and diplomacy, where today’s ally could be tomorrow’s enemy.

Whether you’re launching a crusade or defending your territory from foreign invaders, Knights of the Crusades offers the freedom to rewrite one of the most pivotal and brutal eras in world history.

You don’t have to play from the Western side, either. You can step into the shoes of a Muslim ruler across North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, or the Middle East, taking command of a well-developed state and bracing for the onslaught of European crusaders. Want to play as a counter-crusade Saladin before the historical Saladin even shows up? Go for it.

Early Access With Ambition

Reverie World Studios is going all-in on community-driven development, with weekly updates planned throughout Early Access. Their roadmap includes:

• Expanded narrative campaigns

• Cultural and faction-specific mechanics for Christian, Muslim, Orthodox, and Pagan factions

• Revamped diplomacy and naval combat

• Holy Order customization, from heraldry and laws to your chosen religious creed

• Sandbox features including economic systems and build timers

“This is a game meant to grow with its players,” said Konstantine Fomenko, Producer and Design Director at Reverie World Studios. “We’re transforming factions, deepening campaigns, and working hand-in-hand with our community to bring this vision to life.”

If you’re a fan of Mount & Blade, Total War, or historical strategy games that let you create your own story, Knights of the Crusades is one to watch—and play—right now.

Knights of the Crusades is available now in Early Access on Steam. Check out the full roadmap on the game’s Steam Community page and start forging your legacy today.

]]> 33188 https://www.yogomi.com/2024/11/botany-manor/ Wed, 13 Nov 2024 15:36:54 +0000 https://www.yogomi.com/?p=31440 Whitethorn Games, known for their lineup of inclusive, laid-back titles like APICO, Calico, and Lake, has teamed up with Balloon Studios to bring the critically acclaimed botanical puzzle game Botany Manor to PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 on December 17, 2024. In this historical puzzle adventure, players will dive into the lush world of a forgotten English manor, using clues and puzzles to nurture rare, forgotten plants back to life.

In Botany Manor, players take on the role of Arabella Greene, a retired botanist whose grand estate houses a unique collection of rare and unusual plants. As Arabella, players will explore the manor’s detailed rooms and scenic grounds, searching for the knowledge and resources needed to cultivate each plant. Solving puzzles and deciphering clues hidden in her notes, books, and artifacts scattered throughout the estate, players will reveal the specific conditions each plant needs to thrive.

Key Features of Botany Manor

• Explore a Historically Inspired Setting: Wander through the beautiful, 19th-century English manor and its tranquil gardens, rendered with stunning detail.
• Puzzle-Solving for Growth: Interact with various objects by flipping, rotating, and examining them closely to gather the information needed to solve each plant puzzle.
• Uncover Arabella’s Story: Learn more about Arabella Greene’s life and the obstacles she faced as a female scientist in the 1800s.
• Immersive Soundtrack: Enjoy a soothing musical score that perfectly matches the game’s peaceful exploration and the joy of bringing each rare plant to full bloom.

Botany Manor will launch on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 on December 17 for $24.99, adding to its current availability on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Xbox Game Pass subscribers can access the game at no extra cost.

The game supports English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and both Simplified and Traditional Chinese across all platforms.

For updates, be sure to follow Botany Manor on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. Keep up with Balloon Studios on Twitter, and visit their official website. You can also stay connected with Whitethorn Games on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch, or join their Discord community.

About Balloon Studios
Founded by Laure De Mey, previously part of the BAFTA-winning ustwo games, Balloon Studios is committed to creating welcoming experiences for underrepresented audiences. Laure’s passion for tranquil, historical game worlds inspired her to launch Botany Manor and share her love for relaxed, meaningful exploration.

About Whitethorn Games
Whitethorn Games is an indie publisher with a mission to create approachable, accessible games that anyone can enjoy. Focusing on easygoing experiences, they aim to widen the gaming community, creating games that respect players’ time, value inclusivity, and foster enjoyment without the pressure of high-stakes challenges.

For more information, visit whitethorngames.com.